Two examples showing how to write base 10 numbers in expanded form.

1. Write 472 in expanded form.

2. Write 472 in expanded form.
472
(2 × 100)
Start with the right-most digit
and multiply by the base
(which is 10) raised to the 0th
power. Remember that any
number raised to 0 is 1.

3. Write 472 in expanded form.
472
(2 × 100)
Move to the left increasing the
power each time, so the next
digit is multiplied by 10 to the
first power.
(7 × 101)+

4. Write 472 in expanded form.
472
(2 × 100)
Move to the left again and
increase the power each, so
the next digit is multiplied by
10 to the second power.
(7 × 101)+(4 × 102)+

5. Write 472 in expanded form.
472
(2 × 100)
We can leave our answer as it
is or simplify some of the
exponents. Any of the answers
below are acceptable.
(7 × 101)+(4 × 102)+
(2 × 1)(7 × 101)+(4 × 102)+
(2 × 1)(7 × 10)+(4 × 100)+

6. Write 12,357 in expanded form.

7. Write 12,357 in expanded form.
12,357
(7 × 100)
Start with the right-most digit
and multiply by the base
(which is 10) raised to the 0th
power. Remember that any
number raised to 0 is 1.

8. Write 12,357 in expanded form.
12,357
(7 × 100)
Move to the left increasing the
power each time, so the next
digit is multiplied by 10 to the
first power.
(5 × 101)+

9. Write 12,357 in expanded form.
12,357
(7 × 100)(5 × 101)+
Move to the left again and
increase the power each, so
the next digits are multiplied
by 10 to the second, third, and
fourth powers, respectively.
(3 × 102)+(2 × 103)+(1 × 104)+

10. Write 12,357 in expanded form.
12,357
(7 × 100)(5 × 101)+(3 × 102)+(2 × 103)+(1 × 104)+
We can leave our answer as it
is or simplify some of the
exponents. Any of the answers
below are acceptable.
(7 × 1)(5 × 101)+(3 × 102)+(2 × 103)+(1 × 104)+
(7 × 1)(5 × 10)+(3 × 100) +(2 × 1,000)+(1 × 10,000)+